Orangevale Dog Bite Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an Orangevale dog bite lawyer. The very first Orangevale dog park opened in July 2017. The location is inside Pecan Park. Prior to the opening, dog owners would typically need to drive their dogs to other cities to visit accessible parks. Having a dog park is a great feature to add to the city, especially given the risks associated with dogs being walked around neighborhoods and other public areas like schools and sports fields. The risk is that a vicious dog may wind up attacking someone in these public settings, or a dog may wind up off-leash and attack another person.

Dog Attacks are a Serious Safety Issue

Each year, about 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. About 1-in-5 dog bites result in injuries that require some form of medical attention. In fact, more than 29,000 reconstructive surgeries are necessary due to severe dog bite injuries.

The average cost of hospital treatment for a serious dog bite is $18,200, which is 50 percent higher than the cost for other types of injuries requiring a hospital stay.

What to do after a Dog Bite

When you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite, you should immediately do the following:

Identify the dog’s owner. You should try to find out the owner’s address and ask if the dog’s shots are up to date.

Get medical treatment: Immediately after a dog bite, you should get medical treatment, even if the injury seems minor. This is because there is a risk of getting an infection from a dog bite if not treated properly.

Report the dog bite: The next thing you should do is file a report of the dog bite with the Orangevale animal control or Sheriff department.

Take pictures of your dog bite to serve as evidence during your dog bite claim.

After this, you should contact an Orangevale dog bite lawyer for the next step.

Dogs Breeds that are More Likely to Bite

Pit Bulls are one the most dangerous dog breeds in America. They account for more than half of fatal dog bite attacks. It is a breed that is a combination of numerous breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terrier, or Staffordshire Terrier.

The aggressive behavior and powerful jaws of this dog breed can make it very dangerous. A history of being bred for dog fighting has also produced some particularly vicious specimens. Their surprise attacks mean that people are not usually prepared when they pounce. They also have a notably destructive bite as they hold and shake their bite grips.

Other types of dangerous breeds include:

Rottweilers

Bull Mastiffs

German Shepherds

People at Risk of Dog Bites

Children are most at risk of getting bitten by a dog. Next are senior citizens. About half of dog bites occur with animals owned by neighbors or the injured person’s family.

Devastating Injuries Associated with Dog Bites

Getting bitten by a dog can leave you damaged both physically and emotionally. In terms of bodily harm, common types of injuries include:

In addition to bodily injuries, there may also be emotional and psychological trauma associated with the attack. The victim may not feel or behave normally for an extended period of time, including developing depression, along with anxiety around dogs or other animals. This is clinically considered to be post-traumatic stress disorder. A dog bite victim that is suffering from PTSD deserves to have this debilitating harm treated and be compensated for by the dog owner.

Damages You Can Recover Through an Orangevale Dog Bite Injury Claim

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to recover financial restitution for the following harms and losses:

California is a no-nonsense state when it comes to dog bites. Under Section 3342 of the California Civil Code, a dog owner is strictly liable for harms inflicted by their dog when the victim was in a public place, or lawfully in a private place. This private place also includes the home of the dog owner. The liability stands regardless of whether or not the owner knew of the dog’s vicious tendencies. However, this means the dog owner could avoid liability if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog.

Limited Amount of Time to File a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in an Orangevale Court

If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog attack, consult with an Orangevale dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Why? Because the statute of limitations governing dog bite personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the attack. After two years, any civil action you bring to the court will likely not be entertained and dismissed. In addition, it is recommended that you seek legal counsel sooner rather than later so a proper investigation can be conducted of what exactly happened and a demand letter can be sent to the homeowner insurance company for the dog owner.

In some instances, the statute of limitations period may be "tolled" when the victim is a child (i.e. under the age of 18). The limitations period is effectively frozen until the child turns age 18, then the two-year clock begins to run.

Orangevale Dog Bite Lawyer, Ed Smith

Orangevale Dog Bite Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an Orangevale Dog Bite Lawyer. Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident because of another person’s negligence? Please contact me right away at 916.921.6400 for free and friendly advice without obligation. I can also be reached online at www.AutoAccident.com.

I have been serving the Orangevale and Greater California Community for over 35 years, helping injured people and their families recover after accidents. See some of my valued client reviews on Avvo, Yelp and Google Plus.

I am also a member of the Million Dollar Forum. This group of advocates is reserved for injury lawyers who have obtained settlements and verdicts of over one million dollars for their clients.

Me and my wife; had a car accident. We were amazed how easy, professional, friendly attorney Ed Smith is along with his staff. Everybody is amazing. Thank you so much, we are very impressed! Sincerely, Alex & Dinah M. ★★★★★

Ed Smith and his office team took on a difficult personal injury case on my behalf and for the passenger in my car. Ed is a top- notch attorney. His staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind. No need to look elsewhere. I give Ed Smith my highest recommendation. Beverly ★★★★★

Ed and Robert have been taking great care of my husband and I for the past 5+ years. They are always there when you have a problem and a quick resolution! Even when the issues have nothing to do with them. They are willing to help ease the pain off your shoulders. They are as good as it gets! Thank you again for everything. Annie T. ★★★★★

Very professional. Great team, staff and service all around. Mr Smith was very honest, straight forward with his advice. He gives the word "attorney" an honest reputation. I will seek his council anytime, and would recommend him at the drop of a dime. Jeremy M. ★★★★★

I would highly recommend Ed Smith to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney. Ed, and his staff, are very caring on top of being very experienced in this field. The staff always keeps you informed of the status of your case and they are always easy to reach by phone. Shannon D. ★★★★★

Edward Smith law offices provide competent, thorough, and personable help for victims of personal injury. When you first meet the staff you know you contacted the right office. This law office treats clients like people. I recommend this office to anyone seeking representation regarding personal injury. David M. ★★★★★

We serve the following localities: Sacramento County including the City of Sacramento, Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Galt, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rancho Cordova; El Dorado County including Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, and Shingle Springs; Placer County including Auburn, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, and Roseville; San Joaquin County including Lodi and Stockton; Solano County including Fairfield; Yolo County including West Sacramento; and Yuba County including Marysville.